According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000), Alcohol use disorders are the alcohol-related disorders that are encompassed by the generic criteria used to define and describe abuse and dependence across all substances. More specifically, Alcohol dependence refers to a severe and persistent pattern of alcohol use which results in psychosocial or medical impairment. Symptoms can include physiological dependence, such as tolerance and withdrawal, and/or an inability to control the amount of drinking, inability to cut down even when one is experiencing problems, spending a lot of time drinking, and giving up relationships and activities in order to drink. Alcohol abuse also involves the consumption of alcohol despite the psychosocial problems resulting from use; however, abuse does not include the same compulsive drinking pattern or physical symptoms of alcohol tolerance and withdrawal that are observed in dependence.
